Friday May 1st we said our final goodbyes to Aiden in a private funeral service and honoured Aiden with family bbq, balloons to heaven and birthday cake. I would like to share the beautiful eulogy written by Aiden’s Aunt Christine below as I really could not have written it any better…..
Aiden was a son, a brother, a cousin, a grandson, a nephew, a friend and a warrior. I think that watching someone battle cancer; especially a child makes us all realize that life is so incredibly short. We need to appreciate the little things in life, the beautiful sunrises & sunsets, our friends and family & most importantly our health.
Aiden fought one of the hardest battles any person has to fight, cancer! He had to learn to walk and talk and eat again after brain surgery in September 2016. It’s been a long road, many hospitals, from Almonte to Ottawa, to Boston to Toronto and finally being offered a chance to go to Memphis Tennessee. Although all of these medical interventions didn’t cure Aidens cancer, we were given 3 ½ more years to spend with him.
When Aiden was given months to live before Christmas in December 2018, paperwork was completed promptly with the Make a Wish Foundation to send the family on a magical Disney vacation to DisneyLand California. It was an incredible experience that has provided a lifetime of wonderful memories.
Although Aiden will not get to experience many of life’s wonderful experiences that come with growing old, we can look back on his journey with a smile on our faces remembering the many amazing things he did get to see and do in his almost 11 years of life.
– He got to see and feel unconditional love from so many amazing people – family, friends, & teachers
– Aiden was a wonderful big brother to Declan & Lynkon, they loved to play video games together, camp, fish, boat and wrestle with one another the way brothers do.
– He had airplane rides, train rides, helicopter rides, and far too many car rides for his liking.
– He got to live big city life (often having views from the upper floors)
– He watched all the latest movies, played Pokemon and dragon legends to his heart’s delight, while sipping peach juice and eating white chocolate
– He made many wonderful friends along the way
– He got to have pets, including 2 dogs, a cat, a turtle, 2 chickens, and fish!
– He gained an amazing step dad Jay and 3 beautiful and caring step sisters, Delilah, Rowen and Lilith
Last summer Jay & Steph rented a motorhome and went on an adventure with all 6 kids. They were able to spend time at Santa’s village and camped which was very magical for all of them.
Aiden loved being outdoors, catching frogs, fishing, playing tag, watching movies and playing video games. Being the aunt with 2 girls he had a lot of explaining to do when it came to getting me to understand what the heck he was playing most of the time.
Aiden taught us all so much; we need to live each day as though it’s our last, we probably all need to relax just a bit, we don’t need to fear death, and the corona virus is not the worst thing in the world….in Aidens words “just to deal with it!”
Caring for Aiden for the past 4 years has been a full time job. Many days he was not able to go to school or only be there for a short amount of time. Never once complaining about having to give up so much, Stephanie always put on a brave face, and a smile to hide the pain and made each day the best it could be. Steph often said she wanted to do something special for Aiden when she knew he had little time left. All she had to do was mention this to Aidens teacher and the plans started forming for a huge parade to honour Aiden. It was a day none of us will ever forget!
On May 1st, 2009 Aiden made Jeff and I an aunt and uncle, and boy were we excited to meet the adorable little baby (actually big baby!) with a full head of hair. Hollie and Olivia were blessed to be able to experience the friendship and companionship of having Aiden as their cousin. Aiden was Olivia’s first friend and cousin growing up together. He will be so missed.
Heaven has gained a beautiful new angel who will be waiting for us all when we arrive. We need to remember that Aiden was excited to get to heaven and see what it’s like, he’ll be showing us all the ins and outs when we arrive.
We will all need to stick together and adjust to the new normal as we mourn Aiden, but remember that he would want us to be happy and enjoy each day.
I’ll leave us with This quote from Richard Puz
“Death leaves a heartache no one can heal, love leaves a memory no one can steal.”
Christine Fotherby
As a friend of Nana Kati’s, I, along with many of her friends have been praying and holding Aiden and his mom, dad, step-dad, brother’s and new sisters in our hearts and prayers in a mighty way. I am so full of love and sadness for Stephanie and all who love Aiden. This blog and your stories and comments have become such a blessing to me as it has intimately allowed me to know and participate in your experience. Reading a mama’s impressions of their child’s last day on earth and of their passing is a treasure and intimate sharing. I thank you for the trust that you place in those of us who have never met you but are loving, grieving and caring for you from afar. You all are being held in such a loving circle of hugs and support. xoxo Kat on maui.